Alberta's current premier, and a past one, say they learned from Don Getty

Alberta Premier Don Getty, Treasurer Dick Johnston, left, and Energy Minister Rick Orman, right, at a news conference at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton, Alta., Feb. 21, 1990. Don Getty, the Canadian Football League star quarterback who served as Alberta's 11th premier was laid to rest Saturday in Edmonton. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ray Giguere

EDMONTON – As former Alberta premier Don Getty was laid to rest this weekend, the province’s current premier and another former one say they both learned something from Getty about how to deal with bad economic news.

Getty faced plummeting world oil prices when he became premier in 1985.

Premier Rachel Notley, who faces a similar situation, told reporters after Saturday’s state funeral in Edmonton that mourners have noted Getty kept calm, considered options thoughtfully and remembered the people he was elected to serve.

Getty died a week ago, on Feb. 26, at age 82 of heart failure.

Former premier Ed Stelmach told reporters that Getty offered advice when the global economic crisis hit Alberta in 2009 during the time Stelmach was premier.

Stelmach, whose own political nickname was “Steady Eddie,” says Getty’s advice was not to panic.

“His advice was hold your own, don’t make rash decisions, the province has always recovered. And I certainly listened to that advice and he was right. We came back,” Stelmach said.

“The province is just a better place because of his leadership, his calmness.”

Getty was premier from 1985 to 1992 following successful careers in football and as an oil businessman.

Getty’s former political aide and friend, Patrick Delaney, told the funeral service that even though the years Getty was premier were difficult ones, he Getty prided himself on never shrinking from a challenge. He said Getty’s final advice to his caucus when he left the premier’s job in 1992 was to be bold, and that building was not for the timid or for those always seeking to be safe.

Stelmach said Getty was unlike most in political life.

“He wasn’t brash or harsh to anyone, which is very rare to see in a politician,” Stelmach said.